Joe Popp's Kickstarter campaign still has 38 days to go, and while he's just inched past the $2,000 mark, the self-described musician and motorcyclist still has a ways to go to reach his goal of $7,500.
The once-Tampa-based Popp will be using the funds to create a pilot episode for Popp Over America, a show that follows him as he treks across the country, playing solo acoustic shows in between absorbing local culture and raising awareness for Multiple Sclerosis. Popp's girlfrend Jenny is affected by the disease, and the show will contrast his travels with her daily struggles. Rewards for donating are generous, but the upper level perks are ridiculously awesome. A handmade Joe Popp Gorbachev Soviet era distortion pedal can be yours for just $350, and a pledge of $3,500 gets you a JCM800 or JTM45/100 clone amp head — complete with vintage mustard capacitors and Piher resistors — hand built by Popp himself. Watch Popp's pitch below, and get more info here.
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The first month of Bay area live music is off to a great start, and while there are loads of great shows still yet to come, all eyes are undoubtedly on January 31 when Parquet Courts closes out the first month of 2015 with a show at the unlikeliest of venues (Seminole Heights' American Legion Hall). Last night, the Brooklyn indie-rock darlings took to the Late Show With David Letterman and played the opener from their latest LP, Sunbathing Animal. "Bodies Made Of" was so jangly, scuzzed-out, and feedback-ridden that Dave now wants to manage the band. Watch the whole thing below and get more information their show with Merchandise and Soda here.***
In case you missed it, Ol' Dirty Sundays just got the rock doc treatment. The BOTB-winning weekly is the subject of a new, 12-minute mini-film that chronicles the beginnings of what has become the Bay area's best end-of-the-weekend party. The clip is the first of what looks to be several video stories that will run on noiseporn.com and capture artist interviews as well as scenes from Crowbar's now infamous courtyard event. Watch ODS DJs Blenda, Mega, Casper, and Lesage plus the legendary Charlie Chase reminisce on some of ODS' finest (and not-so-finest) moments below.